by Barb, enjoying a glorious New England fall
Please welcome Friend of the Wickeds, author Kim Davis. I first got to know Kim as the force behind her wonderful recipe blog, Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder. If you’re not reading this blog, you should be. Kim’s photos are so amazing I originally suspected she had been a food stylist in a previous life.
Kim’s here today to celebrate her book Essentials of Murder, first in her new Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series! Comment on the blog below to be entered to win a copy.
Take it away, Kim!
Thanks so much for having me on The Wickeds today, Barbara!
Starting a New Series
Several years ago, my literary agent offered me some writing advice. She said the market was flooded with culinary cozy mysteries—which I adore—and said I should look for a new hook for a new series if I wanted to further my career. It took some time and thanks to the efforts of my special needs granddaughter’s mom exploring ways to bring natural relief and comfort to her daughter, I landed on aromatherapy. Not knowing much about it myself, I began researching, experimenting, and talking to people “in the know,” and became convinced that there was a lot of merit in the practice. I had my “hook” for my Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series.
But a good story needs an equally appealing setting. It’s safe to say we’re beyond Cabot Cove and we don’t want to kill off the entire population of a town. I needed a place that would attract a lot of fresh bodies, err, tourists. I also wanted it based in Southern California (my first series is in Newport Beach, CA, close to where I live and used to work) and at least based on somewhere I knew well or could easily visit to get the “flavor”.
And then inspiration struck: I could base my setting on the small tourist town (population less than 8,000) I grew up in until the age of 14, when my parents moved us to an even smaller town with less than 1,500 residents (which would not make for a good setting for a murder mystery series). Ojai (pronounced OH-HIGH) is about 80 miles from Los Angeles and attracts movie and television studios for on location filming.
The Spanish-style architecture and the mountains surrounding the town make for a gorgeous backdrop, whether for filming, weddings, or vacationing. There are wineries, spas, artists’ retreats, and outdoor attractions like golf, tennis, and horse and biking trails. In addition, the city hosts a variety of annual festivals that attract people from all over. It would give me an excellent source of victims, bah-hah-ha.
I’d like to say I’m a pay attention to details kind of person, but I’m not. One of the first things I did was turn Ojai into the fictional town of Oak Creek Valley. I didn’t want sharp readers to find errors in my directions or street names and unless the sun is rising or setting, I’m not sure I know if I’m headed east or west. Forget about north or south directions…which is why I can’t drive anywhere new without my navigation system blaring directions at me.
As I began developing my character, Carissa Carmichael, I added some small things that I’d experienced during my time in Ojai. I have her living in an avocado orchard, just like a couple of my friends did. Carissa and her dad spent long hours in the saddle, trail riding in the surrounding Topa Topa mountains. I, too, spent a lot of afternoons horseback riding with friends.
I also liked that Carissa could use the bounty from the orchards and farms in the area, from avocados to olives to citrus to lavender, in her essential oils. When I revisit the area, I adore driving with the windows down to breathe in the fragrant blossoms. In short, writing the Aromatherapy Apothecary mysteries is like taking a step back into time for me and reliving some of my childhood memories…which thankfully did NOT include murder.
Many thanks to my cousin and fellow former Ojai resident, Mary Karnes, for allowing me to use her photos today!
Readers, would your hometown be a good setting for a murder mystery? If so, tell me why, and if not, tell me about a place that would make a good setting. I’ll pick a winner from the comments to receive a signed copy of Essentials of Murder. Giveaway ends midnight on Sunday,10/6/24, and is limited to U.S. residents only.
About Kim Davis
Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, and the middle grade The Board Game Chronicles series. She also writes the Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder blog. Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Website: https://kimdavisauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimDavisAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimdavishb/
Twitter (X): https://x.com/Kookiesandbooks
About Essentials of Murder
After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget. When she finds the man who threatened to drive her out of business murdered in her shop, Carissa becomes the primary suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty.
Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and save her father’s career when the investigating detective turns his focus on her. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.
Includes essential oil and reflexology tips.
Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/49XDWJ
The Wickeds 
Kim, while I grew up in the Pasadena area, I love Ojai, and you’ve indeed hit on the perfect setting. You could also use all those wild aromatics that grow along the trails, the sage and witch hazel and so on. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read the first book.
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Thanks so much, Edith! Pasadena and the surrounding area would also make a great setting for a murder mystery.
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I have done that! But in 1920… A short story is published, the novel not yet. ;^)
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My hometown is not isolated but perhaps a very isolated island off the coast of Maine!
Aromatherapy works and I would love to read the first book in the series!
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I’m so glad you’ve had success with aromatherapy as well! Any book written with the coast of Maine as the setting would be very intriguing — and I’m very partial to Barbara’s Maine Clambake Mysteries which introduced me to Maine!
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I live in a small town surrounding a large lake where everyone knows everyone. So that might make for a good murder mystery. Excited to read your new book! Thanks for the chance!
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You’re very welcome and good luck! A small lakeside community would make for a great setting for a mystery!
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Yes, there are so many place to hide a body in NYC and so many weapon choices as well.
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You’re absolutely right about that, Dru! It’s a shame there aren’t that many cozy mystery series set in NYC (or other huge cities), although I’m seeing a few more lately. It seems like it’s the grittier suspense and more main stream mysteries that use the urban settings.
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Congratulations on the release of ESSENTIALS OF MURDER! I’m super excited about the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series.
Being an old Army brat, there wasn’t really a hometown when I was a child. So, I’ll use the town we live in now instead. We live in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas in the Folk Music Capital. We, too, are a very small tourist town. From April to the beginning of November, the town burst at the seams with tourist for one of our many festivals. About every 3-4 weeks there is a festival starting with the Folk Festival and ending with the Bean Fest and Outhouse Races. People from from around the world to some of the festivals. In the general area, there are hundreds of cabins and rooms to rent. Tourism is the cities many source of income for the majority of our residents in one form or other. Being in the Ozark Mountains, there are lots of areas that mysterious events could take place or bodies to be buried – even those that may not be recovered until years later. Yes, I could very well see a whole series of cozy mysteries taking place in our town! Thankfully, the murders are actually taking place.
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy of ESSENTIALS OF MURDER. It’s on my TBR list and can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review it.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Thanks for stopping by, Kay! And yes, festivals are such a great way to bring outside tourists in. I had no idea that the Ozarks was the Folk Music Capitol… how fun to live there. Outhouse races… now that would be a sight to behold and I’m sure provides lots of laughs and fodder for a plot, such as in Edith’s book, Deep Fried Death.
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Aww, thanks!
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Hello, Kim, from another Kim, and congratulations on the first book of your new series. Ojai looks like a lovely town and must smell like one, too–lavender is one of my favorite scents. My hometown (not the place I was born, but the place I’ve lived longer than any other in my life) is Bern, Switzerland, and I think it’s a great place to set a murder mystery, which is why I write the Polizei Bern novels!
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Thank you, Kim! I love reading mysteries set in other countries and Bern, Switzerland sounds so appealing. Besides the gorgeous setting, there’s centuries of history that can be added to the “feel” of the story if needed, along with drawing on all the tourists who visit. Your police procedural sounds fascinating!
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A huge thank you to The Wickeds and especially Barbara for hosting me on the blog today! I truly appreciate the opportunity to share a little bit about my new book and my hometown!
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I’m not sure if the town I grew up in would be a good setting. Maybe. It’s not too far from a city and there is a deep gorge with a creek and lots of trees where you could hide bodies. And the population isn’t too small.
Except for the population thing, Ligonier might make a great setting. Cozy village and lots of open space, trees, creeks, farms, etc. for hiding the body. LOL
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Lots of places to hide bodies can be an important consideration, especially for darker mysteries. Ligonier sounds like a lovely location as long as murder doesn’t find it!
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Hi Kim, huge fan of natural meds and aromatherapy here. Looking forward to a visit to fictional Ojai.
Yes, my hometown would be a great setting. We we were a small community close to New York City with a university. Oh, my, the things those residents could get up to. Did I mention we had a haunted house, or two? My current town would be an equally wonderful setting, in fact, it is. It’s in the north Maine woods. Lots of places to, well, you know.
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Small university towns do make great locations for mysteries… and throw in a haunted house?! Yes, please! I’d definitely read it 🙂
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Hello KIm. I have never been to Ojai, but have always loved the sound of the name. I grew up in Salem Massachusetts and have used that magical city for background of fourteen books–so far!
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Hi Carol, I love your Witch City Mysteries! And you definitely use the city of Salem quite effectively in your books!
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I am looking forward to Kim’s new book! I live near a good sized lake with plenty of cute towns nearby, so I feel this area would be a great setting for a mystery.
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Thanks for stopping by, Julia! Lakeside towns with charming personalities would definitely make for great mystery settings. All those people coming to enjoy both the towns and the lake activities… and a lake to hide any crimes committed 🙂
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It is a fantastic idea for a cozy! Aromatherapy works !
My hometown is not isolated…I think an isolated island works best….the coast of Maine comes to mind!
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I’m so glad you’ve found aromatherapy has been beneficial for you as well! Coastal Maine certainly has a lot of appeal as a setting for mysteries and one of my favorite series–Barbara’s Maine Clambake Mysteries–definitely brings the area to life. While I’ve never visited the area, her descriptions make me want to book a trip!
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Hi 😊👋 I never lived in California, but I would love to have my own avocado 🥑 orchard. I’ll have to check out your book on Kindle.
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Hi Kimberly, thanks for dropping by! I’m with you, I would love to have an avocado orchard, like my friends did growing up. I miss all those free avocados 🙂 Good luck in the contest and I hope you enjoy my book!
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Welcome back and congratulations on the new series! This line made me laugh: attract a lot of fresh bodies, err, tourists.
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Thanks so much, Sherry! It’s an honor to be the blog! I have to admit anytime I visit a “tourist-y” place, I can’t help but look at all the visitors and see them as potential victims or suspects, lol.
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This has the making of a great who done it mystery movie! Thank you , you never disappoint on a great read.
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Awww, thank you so much! I think wonderful settings draws readers into the book or movie while it’s the plot and the characters that hold them there.
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My home town in a private community is the Bronx. It is a a co-op and all the houses used to be bungalows as it was originally set up as a summer get-a-way for city folk. Being a small town in the city it would probably be a good setting for a mystery. Growing up I knew everyone. It’s not quite the same now, but I’d set it in the past.
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I love small communities set amongst a large city! I think it gives the author more areas to draw from and as a reader, I enjoy finding out about all the attractions the city has to offer while trying to solve a murder mystery. And I agree with you, your community would be the ideal setting for a historical mystery!
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Denver would make a great place for a murder mystery it has the Rocky Mountains, Gold Mining towns and Indian Ruins
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I love the area of Denver! The mountains are stunning and provide lots of great places for hiding crime 🙂 The gold mining towns and Indian ruins would also be good for attracting tourists OR would make great locations for a historical mystery too.
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I think Jerome Arizona would make for a good murder mystery. It was an old mining town and the mine is still there. I live in Lincoln Nebraska which I don’t think would make for a good murder mystery.
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I remember visiting an old mining town when I was a kid. There’s so much atmosphere in those locations which would definitely make for a great setting, whether for a contemporary mystery or a historical mystery!
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I LOVE Jerome. It would make a great setting for a mystery series!
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I’ll be watching for Essentials of Murder. I think Colorado Springs would make an interesting setting. There are interesting places close like Cripple Creek, Royal Gorge and others. Plus Denver is close. There’s Army and Air Force and a diverse population. All four seasons, beautiful scenery and good food. I’d live there if I could.
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I’ve visited Colorado Springs once, years ago, and found it to be a very beautiful location! I have to agree with you that it would make for a great setting for a mystery, especially for a protagonist who enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities.
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Oh, goody, another new series! I love the premise. I live near Lititz, PA, (home of indie Aaron’s Books) which is a small town with a large tourist draw. So many wonderful little shops, beautiful setting, fascinating historical buildings, and, yes, lots of places for the bodies.
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I love how the east coast has so many historical locales and sights to draw tourists, compared to the west coast. It’s probably why there are more cozy mysteries set there than on the west coast 🙂
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Oh exciting a new book!!! I live in small country town but still a few good places to hide a body
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You’ve got to watch out for those small country towns, especially when they’ve got lots of places to hide a body, lol! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
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There’s also that outdoor bookstore in Ojai….
Both the town where I grew up and where I live now are biggish towns. 100K to 150K people. So lots of victims, but too big for most cozy settings. Although I’ve read some cozies set in big towns that I loved and still felt cozy to me, so it can be done. (No need to enter me in the giveaway since I’ve already enjoyed this book.)
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I love that outdoor bookstore in Ojai! And I also enjoy the cozies that have small communities set within a large city. There seems to be more recently, which makes for a nice change from the small, quaint village as the setting from murders 🙂
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I live in Michigan where there are dozens of quirky small towns that would make great stories like Christmas or Hell or Frankenmeuth or Clare, maybe even in Holly!
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Quirky little towns make for the best settings, especially if they have equally quirky characters 🙂 Good luck in the contest!
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I was stationed in Guam when I was in the Navy in the early seventies. It would be a great place to hide a body. While I was there a soldier from Japan was found in the woods where he had been hiding as he thought that WE2 was still going on. No one had known that he was there.
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Thank you so much for your service to our country, Susan! Wow, it’s difficult to fathom that the Japanese soldier had been living there all that time without knowing the war had ended. Now that would make for an excellent plot twist in a mystery!
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Harrisburg is a city, a capital city, but we have a lovely river, parks, historical buildings, and are close to Hersheypark, Amish country and Gettysburg. I think some author could make it work. Especially if they liked political stuff.
Your book sounds interesting. I love the idea of aromatherapy but have allergies and many scents bother me. Thanks for the chance.
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It sounds like you live in a terrific place to attract bodies…err tourists! I love the idea of a series being set at all the different historic sites in one area, incorporating history into the plot. Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
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Looking forward to Essentials of Murder
Chicago would be a good setting for a murder mystery as large cities have a reputation for crime. The aroma therapy is an interesting area I would like to know more about
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Thanks, Adria! I’ve been reading more cozy mysteries set in large cities, but with a smaller community within that city. I think it gives the author a wider base of victims and suspects without having to create all sorts of festivals and events to bring outside people in. Good luck in the contest!
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I don’t think my hometown would make a good setting for a cozy because it’s too big. But my adopted hometown of Holland, Michigan would be a good setting because it’s a smaller town on Lake and a cute little town. Looking forward to reading your new book, I’ve been acting been using essential oils lately.
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I’m so glad you’re finding essential oils beneficial, Dianne! Cute little lake towns can offer so much to a setting for mysteries… all that water to hide evidence 🙂 Good luck in the contest!
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Ojai looks and sounds like a great setting. I was born and raised in NYC which would have plenty of places for murders to occur. I now live in the Florida panhandle which also is a good setting for murder.
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NYC would make for a great setting and I’ve been seeing more cozy mysteries use a large city but create a small community within it. I think huge cities makes it easier to have plenty of victims and suspects without having to make up reasons to bring people to your area. Good luck in the contest!
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The town I live in now is a small town in New Hampshire. Just over 5000 people and it would make a great setting for a murder. Small towns have lots of drama, just read our town Facebook page. So many people know each other and their business. Families that have been here for many generations vs. newcomers. Perfect for tempers boiling over. Just come to our annual March town meeting. Lots of drama and lots of sighing when certain townspeople get up to the microphone.
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Oh my goodness… I like plenty of drama on the page but certainly not so much in real life! Yet it sounds like your town has plenty of fodder for a great mystery plot. Good luck in the contest!
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My hometown is Moorpark California, back in the 60’s it is the best setting for a murder mystery as a lot of it was farm land and fields
Laura Otten
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Thanks for stopping by, Lauren, and good luck in the contest! I know Moorpark and there are still some farm land and fields in the area. I can definitely see it as a setting for a historical mystery though.
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This was a fun interview and the book sounds great!
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Thanks so much, Kim, and good luck in the contest!
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Hi and welcome Kim! I love Ojai and the area. I live in San Diego County, in the Avocado Capital of the World, so I am glad that your new mystery series setting is in my state! My hometown is Valdivia, in southern Chile. It would be a good setting, because it rains almost every day, therefore there are countless sinister forests. It is near the ocean, and it used to have train service running north and south using beautifully appointed cars with compartments like in Murder in the Orient Express. My grandfather migrated from Italy way back when to head that train business, so I used to ride in these trains when growing up. Now that flying is so inexpensive, sadly train service is no more… Thank you for the fun mysteries you write, and for your blogs featuring so many delicious recipes! I am glad that now I can look forward to reading ESSENTIALS OF MURDER! JOY! Luis at ole dot travel
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I would love to read a mystery set in Chile, and your description of the train would make it the perfect backdrop for a historical mystery! I so appreciate your support for both my blog and my books, and wish you good luck in the contest!
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I live in a metropolitan area. There are murders here that have some solved and unfortunately, some not. I do not think that it would be as beneficial in a book to put it in my town. I think it would be better in an area where there is not a lot of murder. That would cause more shock factor in the residents as well as more rumors of what actually happened. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
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You make a good point, Debbie, that in super large cities, murder isn’t nearly as shocking as when it occurs in a small, close-knit town. Maybe that’s why the majority of cozy mysteries are set in small communities? Good luck in the contest and thanks for stopping in!
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I think San Antonio, Texas would make a great setting for a murder mystery. It is a beautiful and historic city with lots of scope for an author’s imagination.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
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I’ve visited San Antonio once and have to agree with you – it’s a beautiful setting for a cozy mystery. I love cities and towns that have a lot of historical significance and always enjoy when that aspect is woven into the storyline. Good luck in the contest!
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I would love to read the book. The area i live in i think it’s a small population so probably not for a murder mystery setting.
Rose Ward
rmward92@yahoo.com
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Thanks for stopping by, Rose, and good luck! While small towns can be quaint and inviting for a cozy mystery setting, the author does have to work hard to bring in outsiders to have a stream of both victims and suspects.
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Congratulations on your new release, Kim Davis! Love your books, and love especially your Aromatherapy Apothecary series Book 1 Essentials of Murder. Love the inspiration behind this book! We visited Ojai, Venture and Thousand Oak years ago, and we loved that road trip!!
My hometown is back in Southeast Asia, and my family lived in this 16-storied flat (kinda studio apartment here in US).
There was a cemetery near my flat, and the lift (it is elevator in US) always made some weird noises, and I preferred walking up and down the stairs to taking the lift. If I was to write a cozy mystery, I would choose my hometown as the setting!
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Thank you! I’m so glad I could bring back memories of your road trip to Ojai and the surrounding areas. Your hometown in Southeast Asia sounds like a terrific setting for a cozy mystery! I love learning about new places (without actually having to travel, lol) and the different cultures can add another layer of intrigue to the plot. Good luck in the contest!
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Sorry that I forgot my email address, which is cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com. Thank you.
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If you are looking for a quaint little town with lots of wineries nearby, my town in Northern California is it!
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I adore mysteries set around wineries! After living in wine country for a couple of years myself, it always brings back so many memories. Good luck in the contest!
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Love reading about all the research that goes into writing a book and making realistic. I have lived in Philadelphia PA my whole life and it would be perfect for a murder mystery…. We have so many real ones already. We have all the historical sites that would be cool to include in a mystery, the art museum and Rocky steps, so many different type of neighborhoods and cultures, different universities, large trauma hospitals, busy crowded areas and quiet neighborhoods, city like areas but also parks, bike paths, and river views. There is such a variety of scenes to use, possible cultural backgrounds to include, history to include, and any number of story lines. So many options in Philadelphia! ❤️🤍💙
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Philadelphia would definitely make a great location for a mystery! I especially love cozy mysteries set in large cities but within a small community in the city. It gives the author more history, culture, and people to draw from, and as a reader, it captures my attention as an armchair traveler. Good luck!
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I live in Boston, and it’s known for haunts and spookies! It would be perfect for it!
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Oohh, I enjoy paranormal mysteries and with the historical significance of Boston, it would be a great setting! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
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I live in western North Carolina in the mountains. Lots of folklore and history
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Debbie Sonju
I live in a small town in Northwest Montana. I think it is too small and isolated to be a setting for a cozy. I think one of the towns closer to Glacier Park with more tourist attractions would make a good setting.
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I live in a smal town in Pennsylvania. Where I live wouldn’t be a good place for a murder mystery because the gossip runs rampant around here. Would never be able to keep it a secret. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
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Seymour is small. Home of the hamburger there’s statue of Charlie who invented it. At the fair squashing meatballs on bread. There’s a huge hamburger statue too. Might be interesting to have a body found there. A railroad train car is also there . thank you for the chance donakutska7@gmail.com
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Forgot to say there’s a lake too donakutska7@gmail.com
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